Photo: Tesla
Washington state is now officially on track towards completely eliminating gasoline cars in 2030. The Washington legislature passed the Clean Cars 2030 bill, which is now only waiting for the governor’s signature.
Just a few years back, it still seemed unlikely that fully electric cars would become the norm and not the exception. Yet, current changes in U.S. legislation prove that we are headed that way, full-speed ahead. By passing the Clean Cars 2030 bill, Washington marks a historic moment for the future of the U.S., that will forever change the car industry. Hopefully, for the better.
The main provision of the bill states that, beginning with model year 2030, all future cars that are to be sold, purchased or registered in Washington state have to be electric. All earlier model vehicles, as well as vehicles over 10,000 lbs. (4,500 kg) and emergency vehicles are not targeted. Also, used gasoline vehicles will still be available until the 2040s.
According to Coltura, a coalition of more than 25 organizations, that has been one of the key players in promoting the bill, by 2030 there will be public charging points available everywhere and fast public charging will be as common as it is now to use gas stations.
Automakers and other private stakeholders are also expected to participate in the planning and implementation of the 2030 target. BMW’s MINI and Volvo have already committed to selling only EVs by the same year.
California was the first to sign an executive order that banned the sale of gasoline cars, last year. However, the target year for California is further down the line. Plus, it doesn’t carry the same weight as the Clean Cars 2030 bill. According to Coltura, “It could be years before we know whether CA's 2035 strategy will work due to legal challenges.” – which means California might stay behind Washington.
There are still several big steps to be taken before Washington can reach the 2030 goal, one of them being an increased percentage of vehicles that are subject to a road usage tax. But the Clean Cars 2030 does put forward an ambitious goal.
The main provision of the bill states that, beginning with model year 2030, all future cars that are to be sold, purchased or registered in Washington state have to be electric. All earlier model vehicles, as well as vehicles over 10,000 lbs. (4,500 kg) and emergency vehicles are not targeted. Also, used gasoline vehicles will still be available until the 2040s.
According to Coltura, a coalition of more than 25 organizations, that has been one of the key players in promoting the bill, by 2030 there will be public charging points available everywhere and fast public charging will be as common as it is now to use gas stations.
Automakers and other private stakeholders are also expected to participate in the planning and implementation of the 2030 target. BMW’s MINI and Volvo have already committed to selling only EVs by the same year.
California was the first to sign an executive order that banned the sale of gasoline cars, last year. However, the target year for California is further down the line. Plus, it doesn’t carry the same weight as the Clean Cars 2030 bill. According to Coltura, “It could be years before we know whether CA's 2035 strategy will work due to legal challenges.” – which means California might stay behind Washington.
There are still several big steps to be taken before Washington can reach the 2030 goal, one of them being an increased percentage of vehicles that are subject to a road usage tax. But the Clean Cars 2030 does put forward an ambitious goal.
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